Is Kissing in Public Allowed in India?

Many people ask this question as the rules regarding public behaviour in India are subject to frequent confusion. Some say that kissing in public is illegal, while others say that kissing in public is not a crime at all. To know the truth, we have to see the law and how the police and the courts handle such cases in real life.

What the Law Says

In India, the one which talks about “obscene acts” in public is the law of India under section 294 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) earlier known as the IPC. This section states that any obscene act which annoys other people at a public place can bring punishment. The punishment can be a fine, jail of up to three months or both. But the legislation does not spell out what constitutes an “obscene act.” Because of this, different people have different interpretations of it.

How Police Handle Public Kissing

Police officers frequently use Section 294 when they see couples kissing in public. They sometimes make kissing an obscene act, even if the couple isn’t doing anything extreme. This is why many people worry. But courts in India tend to have a different opinion. In most cases, courts have stated that a normal kiss is not obscene. Courts have discharged or acquitted a number of people who were charged with nothing but kissing. Judges frequently have said that a mere kiss is not damaging to public decency.

What Courts Have Said

Still, the problem remains: the police can still file a case. Even though the court may later uphold the couple, the experience may be stressful. Young couples are especially worried since police sometimes use fear to control the situation. Officers may say things such as “You will go to jail” or “We will call your parents.” But the reality is very simple that the maximum punishment is not more than three months and the offence is bailable and people almost never go to jail for just kissing.

So, Is It Allowed?

So, is kissing in public allowed in India? A simple kiss is not considered illegal by the courts, but the police may still question or stop you if someone complains. If you choose to show affection in public, you should stay mindful of the place, the crowd, and the level of comfort around you. A small, respectful display of affection usually does not create any issue.

A simple kiss is not considered illegal by the courts, but the police can still question or stop you in case of a complaint. If you decide to go for a public display of affection, you will need to be aware of where and what kind of crowd you are with, a level of comfort, etc. A small act of affection that is based in respect usually doesn’t create any problem.

Final Answer

In short, kissing in public is not officially prohibited in India, but it can still receive unwanted attention. Staying aware and responsible helps you to stay out of trouble while you know what is allowed and what is not in the eyes of the law.